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We are looking forward to kicking off the 2016 season of world-class racing with the Red Hook Crit Brooklyn No.9, this Saturday at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
375 cyclists and 350 runners hailing from 48 countries are descending on Red Hook to participate in the annual 5k running race and feature bike races. We’re excited to see the familiar faces of elite veterans, as well as imposing newcomers, registered in the men’s and women’s start lists.
There are also exciting new changes to the racing format; this year’s start line introduces the “YVO Grid”, an arrow-shaped starting grid where the fastest qualifier takes lone wolf pole position as the tip of the spear, while the remaining 94 racers are spread no more than 5 riders per row. The circuit itself has been shortened to 1.13km per lap, giving spectators an improved field of view, with a new double hairpin added in turns 2 and 3.
We’re also proud to bring back the Rockstar Award for Top Antagonist for both the men’s and women’s races, rewarding the athlete who without consideration for their final position most affects the outcome of the race through a combination of tactics, aggressiveness and strength.
For an in-depth look at the race details, athletes and more, check out the Official Strava Race Guide and for all things Red Hook Crit, visit redhookcrit.com or check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Previously:The 2016 Red Hook Criterium Championship Cycling Series

Rockstar Games is proud to announce the return of the Red Hook Criterium Championship Series in 2016, continuing our ongoing support as title sponsor of the international track bike racing series for the 4th straight year.
With four spectacular events scheduled in Brooklyn, London, Barcelona and Milan, competitors will race laps around an approximately 1km circuit filled with turns, chicanes, and hairpins – on brakeless, fixed gear track bikes hitting speeds up to 35 mph. Taking cues from international motorsport, athletes first compete in timed qualification rounds to establish grid positions for the finals. These finals, traditionally raced at night, are held in front of thousands of cheering spectators who bring the crit’s signature festival atmosphere to life at every destination.
2016 SCHEDULE:
• April 30: Brooklyn, NY, USA
• July 9: London, UK
• August 27: Barcelona, Spain
• October 1: Milan, Italy
Athletes accumulate points for finishing each race, traveling from one city to the next, vying for a position on the championship podium. With the continued, four-race schedule, riders will need to perform consistently if they are to contend for the series trophy with each race undoubtedly bringing its own dynamism throughout the season. 2015 Series Champions Ivan Ravaioli (Team Cinelli Chrome, Italy) and Ainara Elbusto (Conor WRC, Spain) will return in 2016 to defend their titles against fierce rivals and ambitious newcomers alike.
For those who don’t always net points but race with tenacity and determination, there’s the coveted Rockstar Games Top Antagonist Trophy to be awarded in both the men’s and women’s feature races to the athlete who without consideration for their final position, most affects the outcome of the race through a combination of tactics, determination, and sheer strength.
For more details, visit redhookcrit.com and make sure to follow the official Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Previously:Red Hook Crit Milano No. 6 Recap

Attention all you boppers. The Warriors are back in the city and headed to CI, the big Coney. This coming Sunday September 13th, many of the film's original cast members will be reuniting at the Surf Pavilion for The Warriors Coney Island Festival in what they're dubbing the "Last Subway Ride Reunion Tour".
Hosted by singer John Joseph of the Cro-Mags (you may have heard their work on Liberty City Hardcore), the day will feature everything from meet-and-greets with the original cast (including many of The Warriors themselves as well as actors who portrayed memorable members of rival gangs like the Orphans and Baseball Furies), live music from bands including Sick of It All (another LCHC alumni), a costume contest and a film screening right there on the gang's turf. Doors open at 10 A.M. and tickets are available for purchase here. If you’re as big a fan of this cult classic as we are and you’re in the NYC area, it sounds like one not to miss.
This fall also marks the 10th Anniversary of our own 2005 videogame adaptation of The Warriors - so for those of you who can't make that long journey to BK, feel free to get nostalgic by sharing your best Warrior-themed GTA Online Jobs for others to play. We’ll be looking to feature them next month in a special edition Throwback Jobs post alongside homages to 2005’s Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories as well.
Previously:35th Anniversary of The Warriors: Check Out the GTA Online Fan-Made Warriors Inspired Playlist

The 8th annual Red Hook Crit at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal featured some of the finest racing in the history of the series, as experienced athletes and ambitious newcomers all fought for a place on the podium at the kickoff event for the 2015 Championship Series.
Ivan Ravaioli celebrates his dramatic win in the Men’s Criterium at this weekend’s Red Hook Crit Championship Series opener at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Victory in the men’s criterium was earned in breathtaking fashion by one of the favorites, Ivan Ravaioli of Italy. While a relative newcomer to the Crit, Ravaioli came to the start line with an impressive racing pedigree, which includes being a World Tour rider as well as starts in classics such as the Milan - SanRemo and a grand tour start at the Giro d’Italia. He displayed his strength and ability in his debut at Milan last year and bested Luis Junquera of Spain by a mere wheel length after an impressive attack in the final sprint to the finish. The race was transformed with three laps to go when a crash took out the first prime winner Mario Paz Duque, top antagonist winner Chas Christiansen and many other pre-race favorites.
This year’s top finishers gather on the podium. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Mexico’s newcomer, Raul Torres, finished in a close 3rd. Professional mountain bike racer and 2014 Series Champion, Thibaud Lhenry, earned pole position after fastest qualifier and previous Red Hook Crit winner Stefan Vis crashed out with a broken collar bone. Lhenry earned a sixth place finish after an incredibly strong race. The Rockstar Award for Top Antagonist from the men’s field was taken by San Francisco native Chas Christiansen representing Mash SF.
Ivan Ravaioli beating out Luis Junquera by a wheel length at the finish line.
Team Cinelli Chrome’s Alfred Bobe Jr. during the afternoon’s qualifying session. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
For the Women’s Criterium, Kacey Manderfield Lloyd, who most notably won the inaugural Red Hook Crit in 2008, qualified in pole position and placed third behind Fleur Faure and winner Ainara Elbusto Artega. With the win, Artega positioned herself as this year’s rider to beat in the women’s field. She also won the 2014 women’s series after sweeping both primes and taking the win at Barcelona, and securing a prime before taking 2nd in Milan last year. She is also a UCI World Cup contender and multi-time podium finisher at the Spanish National Championships. Her constant attacks on the front, and phenomenal strength earned her the Rockstar Award for Top Antagonist in addition to the win.
Artega crosses the finish against the backdrop of the winner’s podium and the Statue of Liberty. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Turn seven of the women’s criterium. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Congratulations are in order to all the athletes who competed in the day’s events, including Eliud Ngetich, who won the 5k race with a blazing 14:21. Also, a huge thank you to all the Red Hook Crit staff who work tirelessly to make these events happen, as well as the Red Hook Crit volunteers without whom none of this would be possible.
Men’s qualifying group 1 on the starting grid. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Distance runner Eliud ‘Heldy’ Ngetich sets a blistering pace in the 5k race that preceded the finals for the Women’s and Men’s Criterium. [Photo: Takuya Sakamoto]
Previously:Rockstar Games Presents the Red Hook Criterium Brooklyn No. 8

This Saturday marks the return of the Red Hook Criterium, the world's premier track bike criterium and Rockstar Games is proud to once again to be the presenting sponsor.
From its roots in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, the race has exploded within the cycling community and sports world. What sets the Red Hook Crit apart from traditional road and track bike racing is the unique format: athletes sprint through a short 1.25km “Formula 1 style” racing circuit riding brakeless, fixed-gear track bikes, traditionally raced in an oval-shaped velodrome. Cyclists must navigate hairpin turns, winding chicanes, and each other over the course of 24 laps in an attempt to be the first across the finish.
Here is the full schedule of events:
SATURDAY, April 25 (times subject to change)
Qualifying: 12:00pm – 3:50pmLast Chance Race: 6:00pm – 6:30pm5K: 7:00pm – 7:30pmWomen’s Criterium: 8:00pm – 8:45pmMen’s Criterium: 9:00pm – 9:45pm Podium Ceremony: 10:00pm – 10:30pm
The Rockstar Award for Top Antagonist returns for both the men’s race and women’s race, awarded to the athlete who without consideration for their final position, most affects the outcome of the race through a combination of tactics, determination, and sheer strength.
For those of you in the NY area, admission is free for the full day of events. We hope to see you down there!
For more details, visit redhookcrit.com or check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Follow Rockstar Games on Twitch and tune in for:
Monday September 15 4PM ET*GTA Soundtrack Alumni Edition: A Special Album Listening Party with Joell Ortiz and FriendsGTAIV Soundtrack's Joell Ortiz joined us earlier this summer to throw down with Pete Rock in one of the Hot 97 GTA Online sessions and had such a good time playing the game that he's coming back today for a special listening party edition where Joell will be previewing tracks of his brand new album dropping this week, House Slippers along with special guests including renowned producers The Heatmakerz and other artists who appear on the album. We'll be playing through a special Playlist of Jobs that share the same name as tracks on the album as well as some recent Verifieds and Flight School Jobs, to see how one of the fiercest rappers in the game does in a lobby with other special guests. Make sure you're following us closely on Twitter as well as we're planning to give away some limited Joell Ortiz x Rockstar Games prize packs of rare gear.
Friday September 19 4PM ET*GTA Online Session featuring Ltzonda and Invited Community Members
And join us this week on Friday afternoon, as we load up and play through GTA Online Jobs with GTA fan and Twitch streamer extraordinaire Ltzonda as well as some members of the community. We're planning on playing through some of the player-created and Red Dead inspired Throwback Jobs we featured on the Newswire last week with some of their Creators and some other fun Jobs live.* Please note that with all livestreams, dates and times are very much subject to change.
Follow twitch.tv/rockstargames and twitter.com/rockstargames to get live notifications of when streams begin. And stay tuned for many more Rockstar livestreams in the weeks ahead to be announced.

The Red Hook Crit's mission to race in rain, hail or shine was put to the test this past Saturday as bone-chilling squalls flooded the course for the 7th Annual Red Hook Crit at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. It didn't dampen the rider's enthusiasm though, and a committed crew of spectators lined the barriers to see what was ultimately one of the most exciting and beautiful Red Hook Crit races in years. The Red Hook Crit's expansion to an international series reaped rewards as two fresh international faces made the podium for the first time in the men's division, while the women’s field tested their mettle against extreme conditions during their inaugural race.
Men’s qualifying session. Photo Cred: Meg McMahon
Early in the afternoon, threatening weather forecasts prompted race organizer, Dave Trimble to move both the men's and women's races to an earlier start in an attempt to avoid the worst of the impending rain. Meanwhile, supporters mingled with the racers in the terminal as the qualifiers took place in preparation for the main event's kick-off at 5:30.
A group of 31 fearless women braved the worst of the day's rain while dealing with fading light. The race started cautiously, but it wasn't too long before the pace heated up and the pack broke up into several smaller groups. A lead group of about 10 riders started to gap the rest of the field. This group contained most of the pre-race favorites, including two members of the Rockstar Games women's team, Shane Ferro and Anna Zivarts.
Early in the women’s race Photo Cred: Meg McMahon
With 5 laps to go, a serious crash occurred at the chicane as Team Rockstar's Shane Ferro crashed out while trying to avoid a lapped rider. Race directors immediately stopped the race, restarting 10 minutes later to complete the final three laps. The break gave everyone a chance to regroup and rest a little, but also time to reflect on the tricky course conditions. The final laps saw some intense racing. Jo Celso, a San Diego native riding for the Wolfpack Hustle team took the win, breaking away at the end to take victory. Chicago's Liz So (Team Tativille) finished in second, 2.4 seconds back with Ash Duban (Haute Wheels) from Austin Texas rounding out the podium with a great third place finish. For a great profile of Jo Celso, head over to the Wolfpack Hustle site.
The men’s criterium begins. Photo Cred: Meg McMahon
As the downpour intensified for the start of the men’s race, the field of 85 riders who had made it through qualification had the additional challenge of racing at night. Last year's series winner Neil Bezdek was once again the hot favorite, setting down a blistering qualifying time to take pole position on the starting grid.
Powering through. Photo Cred: Wendy Wees
Despite the conditions, the race pace was furious from the start. There were several early attempts by riders to break away from the front to try and take advantage of the wet weather and San Francisco’s Kyle Murphy spent several laps attacking the leaders, but nothing stuck. Walton Brush escaped the pack long enough to win the mid-race prime at the end of the 7th lap. Then suddenly during lap 12, Frenchman, Thibaud Lhenry (Team In'bo) racing a bamboo-framed bike built by a friend, and Italian Alessandro Bruzza (Team Cinelli Chrome) broke away, managing to split the field fairly quickly with three laps to go.
On the final lap, the chasers managed to reduce the gap, but it was not enough. Lhenry punched after the final hairpin, out sprinting Bruzza to win by less than a second to take the victory. Moments later, series favorite Bezdek took the field sprint to snatch third place.
Thibaud Lhenry on his custom bamboo bike taking the win. Photo Cred: William Tam
Enduring the pounding rain, the Criteriums were followed by a men’s and women’s 5k. Congratulations to New Jersey native Lauren Penney for taking the women’s race and to Haile Memdesha for winning the men’s.
Runners prepare at the starting line. Photo Cred: Ramses Rivas
A special shout-out goes to everyone who came down to support the race despite the chilly conditions, especially the businesses of Red Hook who brought their delicious food and drink down to warm the bellies of everyone around the course and in the terminal. An extra thank you goes to the folks at the Gorilla Cheese truck, whose grilled cheese sandwiches were a big hit with the Rockstar crew.
Thanks again to all the sponsors - we look forward to seeing you again when the series picks back up in Barcelona in August, followed by the final race in October in Milan. Race fans can follow all the news on the series at redhookcrit.com and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr. For more on the Brooklyn race, you can also check out Peloton Magazine's write-up here: http://pelotonmagazine.com/feedzone/frenchman-reigns-over-red-hook/.
Previously:
Red Hook Crit at Brooklyn Cruise Terminal
The 2014 Red Hook Criterium Championship Cycling Series

Update 03.29:
Please note that the schedule of events for today has changed a bit in light of the local weather. Below is the updated schedule.
This Saturday at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, the 2014 Red Hook Criterium kicks off. 2013 series champion Neil Bezdek looks to defend his title against professional road racers, track specialists, bike messengers and urban cyclists. This year also features the inaugural women's criterium, as well as men's and women's 5k running races.
Check out the full schedule below, and for those in the NY area, admission is free for Saturday's festivities so we hope to see you there! For more details, visit redhookcrit.com or check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ROUND 1: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Athlete Check-in: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Qualifying: 1:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Women’s Criterium: 5:30pm – 6:15pm (new time)
Men’s Criterium: 6:30pm – 7:15pm (new time)
Women’s 5k: 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm (new time)
Men’s 5k: 8:15 pm – 8:45 pm (new time)
Previously:
The 2014 Red Hook Criterium Championship Cycling Series